Article, aerosol supply system, and method for forming the article

Abstract

We provide novel articles for use in aerosol supply systems. [Solution] An article for use in an aerosol supply system includes an aerosol generating section comprising an aerosol generating material containing an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of 8% to 25% by weight, and a material body located upstream of the aerosol generating section. The material body comprises a plurality of material parts. A system comprising the article and a method for forming the article are also provided.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to articles for use in aerosol supply systems, aerosol supply systems, and methods for forming articles. [Background technology]

[0002] Certain tobacco industry products generate aerosols during use, which are inhaled by the user. For example, tobacco heating devices form aerosols by heating an aerosol-generating substrate, such as tobacco, rather than burning the substrate. Such tobacco industry products generally include a mouthpiece, through which the aerosol passes to the user's mouth. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0003] According to embodiments described herein, in a first aspect, an article for use in an aerosol supply system is provided, comprising an aerosol generating portion comprising an aerosol generating material containing an amount of 8% to 25% by weight of an aerosol forming agent, and a material body located upstream of the aerosol generating portion, wherein the material body comprises a plurality of material parts.

[0004] The main material component can be adjacent to the aerosol-generating portion. Multiple material components can be wrapped in packaging material, optionally in paper plug wrap.

[0005] At least one of the multiple material components may include a sheet material. The multiple material components may include strips of sheet material. The sheet material may include a thermally conductive material. Optionally, the sheet material may include a metal foil. The metal may be aluminum.

[0006] The sheet material may have a porosity of less than 100 CU.

[0007] The sheet material may include an aerosol-generating film, and optionally, the aerosol-generating film is laminated on a support material.

[0008] The sheet material may include paper.

[0009] The sheet material is crimpable. For example, a crimp pattern can be applied to the sheet material. The crimp pattern can be defined by a crimp amplitude of 50 μm to 400 μm and / or a spacing of 0.1 mm to 3 mm between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern.

[0010] The crimp amplitude can be 100 μm to 300 μm. Alternatively or additionally, the spacing between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern can be 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0011] Multiple material parts, Capsules and Multiple microcapsules, Threads containing aerosol modifiers and It can include at least one of the following.

[0012] The main material may contain additives selected from a flavoring agent carrier, an aerosol forming agent, a salt gel, or an acid, optionally the aerosol forming agent being glycerol, and optionally the acid being selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, levulinic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or 2-methylvaleric acid, or the acid being lactic acid.

[0013] Multiple material components may include at least a first material and a second material.

[0014] The first material and the second material can be provided in separate material parts. The first material may have a different visual appearance from the second material, and the separate parts of the first and second materials may be positioned so that they are visible at the edges of the article.

[0015] The first material and the second material can each include a sheet material.

[0016] The first material and the second material can each include a strip of sheet material.

[0017] The suction resistance through the length of the material body can be 4 mmH2O to 30 mmH2O.

[0018] The suction resistance through the length of the material body can be at least 1.1 mmH2O per 1 mm of the length of the material body, or at least 1.2 mmH2O per 1 mm of the length of the material body, or at least 1.5 mmH2O per 1 mm of the length of the material body, or at least 2 mmH2O per 1 mm of the length of the material body.

[0019] The suction resistance through the length of the material body can be 5% to 25%, or 10% to 20% of the suction resistance through the length of the article.

[0020] The material body can include an aerosol-forming agent in an amount less than 5% by dry weight or an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of 5% to 50% by dry weight.

[0021] The article can be ventilated. The ventilation level can be 40% to 75%.

[0022] The aerosol generation portion can include tobacco material and / or non-tobacco plant material and active material.

[0023] The material body can include a first material body, and the article can further include a second material body adjacent to the first material body.

[0024] The second material body can be disposed downstream of the first body and upstream of the aerosol generation portion.

[0025] The second material body can be disposed at the upstream end of the article.

[0026] The second material body may include sheet material. Optionally, the sheet material may be assembled to form the second material body. Alternatively or additionally, the sheet material may be in the form of strips of sheet material.

[0027] The sheet material may include a thermally conductive material. Optionally, the sheet material may include a metal foil. The metal may be aluminum.

[0028] The sheet material may include an aerosol-generating film. Optionally, the aerosol-generating film can be laminated onto a support material.

[0029] The sheet material may include paper.

[0030] The sheet material may include paper-like reconstituted tobacco.

[0031] The sheet material is crimpable. For example, a crimp pattern can be applied to the sheet material. The crimp pattern can be defined by a crimp amplitude of 50 μm to 400 μm. Alternatively or additionally, spacings of 0.1 mm to 3 mm can be used between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern.

[0032] The crimp amplitude can be set to 100 μm to 300 μm. The spacing between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern can be set to 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

[0033] The second material body may include an additive selected from a flavoring agent carrier, an aerosol forming agent, a salt gel, or an acid, optionally the aerosol forming agent being glycerol, and optionally the acid being selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, levulinic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or 2-methylvaleric acid, or the acid being lactic acid.

[0034] The second material body may contain an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of less than 5% by weight on a dry weight basis, or in an amount of 5% to 50% by weight on a dry weight basis.

[0035] According to embodiments described herein, a second aspect provides a system comprising the article described in the first aspect above, and a heating device configured to receive an aerosol generating portion, the heating device configured to heat the aerosol generating portion from the outside and / or inductively heat and / or resistively heat the aerosol generating portion.

[0036] According to embodiments described herein, a third aspect provides a method for forming the article described in the first aspect, The process involves preparing the main material, the aerosol generation section, and the packaging material. The steps include: combining the main material body and the aerosol generating portion with the packaging material to form a component; The steps include further preparing the mouthpiece and additional packaging materials, The steps include: forming an article by combining the mouthpiece and components such that the main body is located upstream of the aerosol generation section; A method is provided that includes this.

[0037] According to embodiments described herein, a fourth aspect provides a method for forming the article described in the first aspect, The steps include preparing the cooling section, the mouthpiece body, the hollow tubular element, and the packaging material, The steps include: forming a mouthpiece by combining a cooling section, a mouthpiece body, and a hollow tubular element with a packaging material; The steps include further preparing the aerosol generating section, the main material body, and additional packaging materials, The steps include: forming an article by combining the mouthpiece, aerosol generating section, and material body with further packaging material; A method is provided that includes this.

[0038] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described as merely examples with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view of an article for use in an aerosol supply system, comprising an aerosol generating portion of the article and a component located at the upstream end. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the sheet material forming the components of Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a side cross-sectional view of a further article for use in an aerosol supply system, having an alternative packaging material configuration. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of a further article for use in an aerosol supply system. [Figure 5] This is a side cross-sectional view of a further article for use in an aerosol supply system, comprising further components upstream of the aerosol generation section. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram illustrating a method for forming an article according to this disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure schematically illustrates a further method for forming an article according to the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0040] In the figures described herein, similar reference numerals are used to indicate equivalent features, articles, or components.

[0041] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of article 1 for use in an aerosol supply system. In this case, the article includes consumables for a non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0042] The article comprises an aerosol generating section, in this case a cylindrical rod 2 of aerosol generating material, and a mouthpiece 3 located downstream of the rod 2 of aerosol generating material and connected to the rod 2 of aerosol generating material. In this case, the aerosol generating material is tobacco. In other examples, the aerosol generating material may be a non-tobacco plant material containing an active material. Article 1 may be used in a non-combustible aerosol supply device to form a non-combustible aerosol supply system. In other examples, article 1 may have its own heat source to form an aerosol supply system without requiring a separate aerosol supply device.

[0043] In some examples, the aerosol-generating material contains 5–30% by weight, for example, 8–25% by weight, of the aerosol-forming agent. References to composition by weight herein are based on dry weight.

[0044] The article further comprises a component 4 at its upstream end. Component 4 includes a material body 5 encased in component packaging material 6.

[0045] In this case, the component packaging material 6 is paper backed with foil. In other examples, the component packaging material 6 may be metal foil or paper plug wrap.

[0046] The material body 5 includes multiple material parts. In this example, the multiple material parts are strips 8 of sheet material (see Figure 2). In other examples, the multiple material parts may include sheet material that is not cut into strips but is assembled in a similar manner to that of a "crepe filter" to form the body. In some examples, the multiple material parts may include a first sheet material and a second sheet material, each or both of which may be prepared as a sheet and assembled to form the body 5, or cut into strips on which the body 5 is formed.

[0047] The strips or sheets forming the material body 5 can have a total width of 100mm to 240mm, for example, 140mm to 200mm, before crimping. Such a width can achieve a good balance between the pressure drop along the length of the material body 5 and the hardness of the material body 5.

[0048] In some examples, multiple material parts include a first material and a second material. The first material may have a different visual appearance from the second material, and separate parts of the first and second materials may be positioned so that they are visible at the edges of the article.

[0049] One or each of the first and second materials may be a sheet material. For example, the first material may be a sheet material, and the second material may include microcapsules, which may be coated onto the first material when the materials are assembled to form the body 5, such that the body 5 includes the assembled sheet material and the microcapsules embedded within the material body. In other examples, the second material may include encapsulated additives, threads filled with aerosol modifiers or active materials, or reconstituted tobacco material.

[0050] For example, one or more capsules incorporated into the body 5 in the form of multiple capsules such as microcapsules, or as a single capsule, can be thermally and / or pressure-activated to release their capsule payloads. In some embodiments, one or more capsules may be configured to release their payloads, for example, in the form of a liquid payload, when exposed to temperatures greater than 100 degrees Celsius or greater than 150 degrees Celsius. Alternatively or additionally, one or more capsules may be configured to release their payloads when exposed to force applied to the capsules, for example, by a consumer gripping the material body 5. In any case, since the material body 5 is located upstream / adjacent to the aerosol-generating material, when the aerosol-generating material is heated, the material body 5 is exposed to heat, and as a result, the capsule payloads can be efficiently aerosolized and delivered to the consumer.

[0051] In this example, the main body 5 is formed from multiple strips 8 obtained by crimping and gathering a sheet material. The multiple strips are gathered laterally to form the main body 5, which has a substantially cylindrical outer shape.

[0052] In this example, the multiple strips 8 of the material include low-porosity paper. In other examples, the multiple strips 8 of the material may include foil or foil-backed paper, an aerosol-generating film, or an aerosol-generating film laminated on a support (e.g., paper material).

[0053] In some examples, the body 5 may be formed from multiple strips 8 of material cut from multiple different materials. The first sheet material having a first appearance and the second sheet material having a second appearance are arranged, for example, such that when multiple strips formed from the first and second materials are assembled to form the body, the body has a distinctive appearance when viewed from its longitudinal end.

[0054] In some examples, multiple strips 8 of material are formed from sheet material having a permeability of approximately 1,000 to 50,000 cholesta units, and in some examples, approximately 5,000 to 50,000 cholesta units. Such levels of permeability have been found to preferably result in components 4 that form a body 5, which are more uniformly distributed within the body 5 and less likely to form channels extending longitudinally through the body 5. Thus, for a given weight of material strip 8, increased permeability results in a higher suction resistance along the length of the body 5. This means that sheet material with a lower average density can be used within the body 5 to achieve the desired suction resistance, and thus material can be saved.

[0055] In addition, sheet materials with higher permeability also have a more open structure, and therefore, in the case of biodegradable materials, this can result in an improvement in the time it takes for the components 4 to decompose. When the additive is applied to the sheet material in liquid form, increased permeability can also result in a more absorbent sheet material, meaning that a larger volume of additive can be applied relative to a given weight of material. The additive may be applied to the sheet material before forming the multiple strips 8, or it may be applied to the multiple strips 8 after they have been formed.

[0056] The permeability of multiple strips 8 can be measured according to the international standard ISO 2965:2019, as is known to those skilled in the art. If the multiple strips 8 are smaller in size than the minimum surface area required for testing under ISO 2965:2019, the permeability of the strips may be determined for the sheet material on which the multiple strips 8 are formed.

[0057] Biodegradability can be measured according to the procedure described in ISO 14855-2:2018. The components described herein can achieve more than 50% biodegradability in 30 days when exposed to either freshwater or seawater.

[0058] In some examples, the strips 8 may include a non-porous sheet material having a porosity of, for example, less than 100 cholesta units, or less than 50 cholesta units. In some examples, the sheet material may include metal foil. For example, the sheet material may be metal foil or metal foil backed with paper.

[0059] In this example, the main body 5 has a suction resistance of 1 mmH2O to 30 mmH2O, for example, 5 mmH2O to 25 mmH2O, or 10 mmH2O to 20 mmH2O. Preferably, the main body 5 has a suction resistance of 0 mmH2O to 20 mmH2O. This suction resistance can be 1% to 30%, for example, 5% to 25%, or 10% to 20%, of the suction resistance across the article. Preferably, by providing a component 4 upstream of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material, having a suction resistance of 5% to 25% of the suction resistance across the article, the relative contribution of the rod of the aerosol-generating material to the overall suction resistance of the article is reduced. As a result, the overall suction resistance of the article 1 is less sensitive to fluctuations in the suction resistance of the rod of the aerosol-generating material that may occur due to the organic properties of the tobacco material, and it is also possible to achieve a higher level of ventilation within the rod of the aerosol-generating material while maintaining the overall suction resistance across the length of the article 1 at an acceptable level. Aeration may be provided within the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material such that the overall aeration level of article 1 is 10% to 60%, or 25% to 80%, for example, up to 70%, up to 65%, up to 60%, up to 55%, or up to 50%.

[0060] The suction resistance of body 5 (and other suction resistance and pressure drop measurements referenced herein) are measured according to the ISO standard method (ISO 6565:2015). Suction resistance refers to the "resistance to suction closure" when any ventilation area to the article or body is closed during measurement.

[0061] In some examples, the suction resistance through the length of body 5 is at least 5 mmH2O, or at least 7 mmH2O, or at least 8 mmH2O.

[0062] In some examples, the suction resistance through the length of the body 5 is at least 1.1 mmH2O / mm, or at least 1.5 mmH2O / mm, or at least 2 mmH2O / mm.

[0063] Article 1 in this example has a level of ventilation through which approximately 70% of the aerosol is drawn in.

[0064] In this example, the body 5 is formed from multiple strips 8 cut from a sheet material. In alternative examples, the body 5 may be formed from a single assembled sheet of material, or from multiple material sheets assembled together to form the body 5. Each of the multiple material sheets may have the same or different properties, such as their dimensions, permeability, thickness, basis weight, and composition. Similarly, the multiple strips 8 of material may, in some examples, include strips cut from multiple different sheet materials.

[0065] In this example, the sheet material is cut into strips 8, and the strips 8 are assembled to form the body 5. In this example, the strips 8 extend along the entire length of the body 5. In other examples, the strips 8 may be cut to a length shorter than the length of the body 5. In some examples, the strips 8 have a length of at least 2 mm, at least 3 mm, at least 4 mm, at least 5 mm, at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, or at least 8 mm.

[0066] In this example, strip 8 has a width of at least 0.5 mm, e.g., 1 mm, at least 1.5 mm, at least 2 mm, or at least 2.5 mm. In some examples, strip 8 has a width of at least 5 mm, at least 10 mm, or at least 15 mm. In some examples, strip 8 has a width of less than 50 mm, e.g., less than 45 mm, less than 40 mm, less than 30 mm, or less than 20 mm. The width of the strip refers to the width before it is crimped and gathered, and may be determined by separating strip 8 from body 5 and stretching strip 8 until no visible crimps remain.

[0067] The dimensions of the multiple strips 8 as described above may be determined as the average of the width or length of the strips 8 in a given material body 5.

[0068] Multiple strips 8 can be formed from one or more sheets of cellulose material. For example, a paper sheet, a tobacco material sheet, a non-tobacco plant material sheet, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the multiple strips 8 forming the body 5 can be formed from sheet material having a basis weight of about 20 to about 80 gsm, or about 30 to about 50 gsm, or about 36 to about 45 gsm, or about 55 to about 75 gsm. Alternatively or additionally, the sheet material of the multiple strips 8 can have an uncrimped thickness of about 50 μm to about 500 μm, about 50 μm to about 350 μm, about 60 μm to about 300 μm, or about 60 μm to about 160 μm.

[0069] In some examples, the strips 8 may include metal foil, such as aluminum foil, or optionally, aluminum foil backed with paper. In other examples, the strips 8 may include aerosol-generating material, such as paper-like reconstituted tobacco material, or an aerosol-generating film. Optionally, the aerosol-generating film may be laminated on a supporting material such as paper.

[0070] The material body 5 may have a weight of approximately 5 mg to approximately 15 mg per 1 mm of length of the body, or approximately 8 mg to approximately 12 mg per 1 mm of length of the body, or approximately 10 mg per 1 mm of length of the body.

[0071] Multiple strips 8 may be crimped to increase the amount of sheet material that can be included in the body 5. At least one of the one or more strips 8 extending through the body 5 may have a crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves.

[0072] In this example, a sheet material is crimped and cut simultaneously to form a crimped strip of the sheet material. For example, the sheet material may be passed through a device that includes an arrangement of rollers and / or discs configured to apply a crimp pattern to the sheet material and cut the material into strips as it passes through the device. For example, the device may include an alternating arrangement of cutting discs and crimping rollers configured to engage with the sheet material.

[0073] In other examples, the sheet material is crimped before being cut into strips to form the body 5. In other examples, the crimped material sheet may be formed on the body 5 without cutting the material into strips. For example, the sheet material may be passed through a pair of crimping rollers. In this example, the first body 5 includes a plurality of crimped sheet material strips formed with a crimp pattern comprising a series of substantially parallel ridges and grooves.

[0074] The crimp may make it easier to assemble multiple strips 8 or sheet material to form the body 5. The crimp may also increase the total width of the sheet material that can be used to form a body 5 of a particular volume, for example, by including more strips of sheet material or wider strips of sheet material. Increasing the width of the sheet material within the body 5 increases the available surface area of ​​the sheet material within the body 5, which can increase the amount of moisture that can be absorbed by the body 5. Thus, the increased amount of condensate can be absorbed by the body 5, which can result in a more hygienic user experience when the article 1 is used in a non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0075] In this example, the average spacing between adjacent raised areas of the sheet material strip is greater than approximately 0.3 mm. In addition, the crimp amplitude in this example is less than approximately 0.7 mm.

[0076] The crimp amplitude (also known as the "crimp coefficient") refers to the depth of the grooves formed in the multiple strips 8 that make up the main body by crimping. That is, as shown in Figure 2, crimping the sheet material creates multiple peaks and valleys within the sheet material when viewed from a first side of the sheet material, and the crimp amplitude "A" is the depth of the valleys measured from those peaks.

[0077] The crimps may form a "zigzag" shape or another shape. In some examples, adjacent grooves in the crimped sheet material are spaced apart at a distance in the range of 0.3 to 2 mm, preferably 0.4 to 1 mm, or have a pitch "P". In some embodiments, adjacent grooves in the crimped sheet material are spaced apart at a distance in the range of 0.1 to 3 mm, preferably 0.2 to 2 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent grooves in the crimped sheet material are spaced apart at a distance of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.2, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 mm. In some embodiments, adjacent grooves in the crimped sheet material are spaced apart at a distance of at most 3 mm, for example, at a maximum of 2.5, 2, 1, 1.5, 0.7, 0.5, 0.2, or 0.1 mm.

[0078] Figure 2 shows a strip of sheet material 8 having multiple ridges and grooves, although the actual number of ridges and grooves formed on the crimped strip 8 depends on the relative width of the strip and the spacing between adjacent grooves in the crimp pattern. In some examples, the strip of sheet material 8 is not crimped.

[0079] In some embodiments, the sheet material is heated when it is crimped. For example, the sheet material may be passed between crimp rollers, one or both of which are heated. For example, one or both rollers may be heated to a temperature of up to 100 degrees Celsius, for example, 50 degrees Celsius or 60 degrees Celsius. The amount of pressure applied to the sheet material as it passes between the rollers may also be varied. A higher level of crimp can be achieved by heating the rollers or by applying a higher level of pressure to the sheet material. For example, crimping can be applied using the roller surface at a temperature greater than 30°C, greater than 40°C, or greater than 50°C.

[0080] The average density of the main body 5 is approximately 0.1 to 0.25 mg / mm³. 3 This can be done. In this example, the density of the main material 5 is approximately 0.19 mg / mm³. 3 In some embodiments, the body 5 contains at least 0.1 mg / mm³ 3 , 0.12 mg / mm³ 3 , or 0.15 mg / mm³ 3 The density of the material body can be measured by separating the body from the article and the surrounding plug wrap and / or chip paper, removing any embedded material, but including any additives added to the multiple sheet material strips 8. The density may also be calculated as bulk density based on the weight of the strips 8 and any additives added to the strips 8, as well as the total volume occupied by the strips 8. For example, the total volume of the material body 5 is measured inside the plug wrap 6.

[0081] In some examples, the material itself is formed not from a sheet material, but from another fibrous material such as cotton.

[0082] In some examples, an aerosol modifier or aerosol-forming agent may be added to the material forming the material body. For example, a flavoring agent carrier or glycerol may be applied to the sheet material before forming the strip 8 and the material body 5. In some examples, the material body 5 includes an aerosol-generating film containing lactic acid, as described, for example, in International Publication No. 2021 / 105449. In some examples, the material body contains an acid, selected from the group consisting of, for example, lactic acid, levulinic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or 2-methylvaleric acid. In some embodiments, the acid is lactic acid. In some embodiments, the acid is levulinic acid. The term lactic acid is synonymous with the term 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and includes both D and L enantiomers separately or in mixtures thereof. For example, lactic acid may be a mixture of D-2-hydroxypropanoic acid and L-2-hydroxypropanoic acid (e.g., a racemic mixture). The term levulinic acid is synonymous with the term 4-oxopentanoic acid.

[0083] The use of acid within the material body 5 may be particularly preferable when the aerosol-generating material contains nicotine, because the acid can enable optimal protonation of nicotine in the resulting aerosol by, for example, changing the ratio of free base nicotine to protonated nicotine. Protonation of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is understood to change the nicotine (gas):nicotine (fine particles / liquid) ratio by increasing the amount of nicotine present in the fine particles / liquid phase. The aerosol generated by the aerosol-generating material described herein delivers an appropriate amount of nicotine to the user.

[0084] In some examples, the main body 5 contains an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of 10% to 30% by weight.

[0085] In other examples, the material body 5 contains less than 5% by weight of an aerosol-forming agent.

[0086] In other examples, the material body 5 includes a combustion retarding material, such as a combustion retarding salt and aerosol-generating film, or a salt gel, as described in International Publication No. 2020 / 183163. In some embodiments, the combustion retarding salt is incorporated into an amorphous solid material to form a salt gel as referred to herein. This means that the combustion retarding salt is contained within the amorphous solid composition. For example, during the preparation of the amorphous solid material, the liquid precursor of the amorphous solid material is mixed with the combustion retarding salt. This distributes the combustion retarding salt throughout the resulting amorphous solid material. In some embodiments, the distribution of the combustion retarding salt is uniform throughout the amorphous solid, which may be preferable because the combustion retarding effect is effective throughout the entire material. The combustion retarding salt may be added in the form of a solution or suspension. Alternatively, the combustion retarding salt may be added to the liquid precursor in solid form, such as particulate form, like a powder.

[0087] In other embodiments, the combustion retarder salt is added to or applied to an amorphous solid material. For example, once the amorphous solid material is prepared, a solution or suspension containing the combustion retarder salt is applied to the surface of the amorphous solid material to deposit the combustion retarder salt on the surface of the amorphous solid material.

[0088] In this example, component 4 has a length of approximately 6 mm. In an alternative embodiment, component 4 may have any length in the range of approximately 3 mm to approximately 15 mm, preferably approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm.

[0089] The outer circumference of component 4 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material, so as to ensure a smooth transition between these components.

[0090] Although only a single material body 5 has been described with reference to the drawings, in alternative embodiments, articles 1, 1', and 1'' in Figures 1, 3, and 4 may include additional sections, such as additional material bodies, or other sections, such as tubular sections. The additional sections may be immediately upstream, immediately downstream, or both of the component 4, and may be formed from any material suitable for use in the articles described herein.

[0091] As will be explained in more detail below, providing a component 4 at the upstream end of article 1 can offer several advantages. For example, the stability of article 1 in use may be improved by preventing the aerosol-generating material from detaching from the upstream end of the article. If component 4 comprises a material body having a suction resistance of about 5% to 25% of the suction resistance of article 1, this can also lead to greater consistency in the suction resistance between articles, as the contribution of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material to the overall suction resistance of article 1 is relatively small. Preferably, the relatively high suction resistance of component 4 allows the overall suction resistance of article 1 to be less sensitive to variations in the suction resistance of the rod of the aerosol-generating material.

[0092] Component 4 is connected to the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material by a connecting packaging material 7. In this case, the connecting packaging material 7 is wrapping paper. In other examples, the connecting packaging material 7 may be a paper-backed foil packaging material or a metal foil. Preferably, at least one of the packaging material 6 and the connecting packaging material 7 includes a non-combustible material, preferably a metal foil. In some examples, at least one of the packaging material 6 and the connecting packaging material 7 is non-combustible. For example, the packaging material 6 or the connecting packaging material 7 may be aluminum foil or paper-backed aluminum foil. Preferably, by manufacturing an article in which component 4 at the upstream end of the article is surrounded by a non-combustible material such as metal foil, it is possible to prevent the user of the article from igniting the article like a conventional cigarette (the article is not intended for such use). In this example, the connecting packaging material 7 surrounds the component 4 and the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material substantially over its entire length.

[0093] Preferably, additional strength and rigidity can be achieved in the aerosol-generating material rod 2 by connecting the component 4 to the aerosol-generating material rod 2 using a connecting packaging material 7 that extends substantially along the entire length of the aerosol-generating material rod 2. This may be particularly suitable when the aerosol-generating material is not very dense, or when it is implemented in a form where the level of structural stability is inherently low, such as granular tobacco.

[0094] The connecting packaging material 7 is bonded to both the component 4 and the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material. At least a portion of the inner surface of the connecting packaging material 7 is covered with an adhesive layer. Surprisingly, it has been found that applying a small amount of adhesive to the connecting packaging material 7 can result in the formation of an improved aerosol. This may be achieved by reducing the thickness of the adhesive layer, or preferably by creating gaps in the adhesive layer. Preferably, the adhesive layer is discontinuous. For example, before combining the component 4 and the tobacco rod 2, the adhesive may be applied in strips to the connecting packaging material 7 so that the rest of the connecting packaging material 7 is not completely coated with adhesive. If the connecting packaging material 7 with the strips of adhesive is wrapped around the component 4 and the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material, then the portion of the component 4 and the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material may not contain adhesive. The strips of adhesive may extend in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the article, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article, or at other angles such as oblique to the longitudinal axis. Providing a discontinuous layer of adhesive on the inner surface of the connecting packaging material 7 reduces the amount of the connecting packaging material 7 that gets wet with the adhesive, which can result in higher tensile strength of the connecting packaging material 7 during manufacturing, and thus preferably improves the ease of manufacturing of the article 1.

[0095] Other means can be used to change or reduce the amount of adhesive applied to the connecting packaging material 7. For example, the adhesive layer may be applied in a different pattern, such as a dot matrix.

[0096] Preferably, at least a portion of the inner surface area of ​​the connecting packaging material 7 is adhesive-free. More preferably, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50% of the inner surface area of ​​the connecting packaging material 7 is adhesive-free.

[0097] Ideally, the connecting packaging material 7 has a tensile strength of at least 2.5 kgf / 15 mm, for example, at least 3 kgf / 15 mm, or at least 3.5 kgf / 15 mm. The tensile strength of the connecting packaging material 7 may be determined according to test method T494.

[0098] In some examples, the connecting packaging material 7 has a permeability of at least 3 cholesta units. In some examples, the connecting packaging material 7 has a permeability of at least 5 cholesta units, at least 10 cholesta units, or at least 20 cholesta units. In some examples, this permeability is an inherent property of the connecting packaging material 7. In other examples, the connecting packaging material 7 may be perforated to increase material permeability. In some examples, the combined permeability of the rod packaging material 10 and the connecting packaging material 7, combined with any intermediate layer of adhesive, is at least 25 cholesta units, or at least 30 cholesta units, or at least 50 cholesta units. The combined permeability of the rod packaging material 10 and the connecting packaging material 7, combined with any intermediate layer of adhesive, may be determined by disassembling the article 1 to separate the packaging material from the rod of aerosol-generating material and measuring the total permeability through the packaging material surrounding the rod of aerosol-generating material, i.e., the rod packaging material 10, the connecting packaging material 7, and any intermediate layer of adhesive, in accordance with ISO 2965:2019.

[0099] In some examples, the connecting packaging material 7 has a basis weight of approximately 27 gsm to approximately 70 gsm, for example, approximately 36 gsm to approximately 50 gsm, or approximately 36 gsm, approximately 41 gsm, approximately 44 gsm, or approximately 48 gsm. By using basis weights within these ranges, a configuration is achieved in which the hardness and elasticity of the article are improved, for example, during and after use of the article in the heating device described herein.

[0100] In some examples, the constituent packaging material 6 has a basis weight of approximately 27 gsm to approximately 70 gsm, for example, approximately 36 gsm, approximately 41 gsm, or approximately 44 gsm.

[0101] In this case, component 4 is adjacent to the upstream end of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material. In other examples, two or more components may be provided upstream of the rod of the aerosol-generating material. For example, the first component 4 may be provided at the upstream end of the article, and the second component may be provided between the first component 4 and the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material.

[0102] In this example, article 1 has a circumference of approximately 21 mm (i.e., the article is demi-slim). Preferably, article 1 has a rod of aerosol-generating material having a circumference greater than 19 mm. This has been found to provide a circumference sufficient to generate an improved, sustained aerosol over a typical aerosol-generating session that is favorable to consumers. When the article is heated, heat is transferred through the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material, causing the components of the aerosol-generating material to volatilize, and a circumference greater than 19 mm has been found to be particularly effective in generating aerosols in this manner. Since the article will be heated and release an aerosol, improved heating efficiency can be achieved by using an article with a circumference of less than approximately 23 mm. A rod circumference greater than 19 mm and less than 23 mm is preferred to achieve improved aerosols by heating while maintaining a suitable product length. In some examples, the rod circumference can be 20 mm to 22 mm, which has been found to provide a good balance between achieving effective aerosol delivery and enabling efficient heating on the one hand.

[0103] The outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is substantially the same as the outer circumference of the rod 3 of the aerosol-generating material, so as to ensure a smooth transition between these components. In this example, the outer circumference of the mouthpiece 2 is approximately 20.8 mm.

[0104] In this example, the intake includes a cooling section 13 located downstream of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material. In this example, the cooling section 13 is in contact with the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material. In other examples, additional components may be provided between the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material and the cooling section 13.

[0105] In this example, the mouthpiece 3 also comprises a mouthpiece body 14 downstream of the cooling section 13 and a hollow tubular element 15 downstream of the mouthpiece body 14 at the mouthpiece end of article 1. In other examples, the hollow tubular element 15 may be omitted, and the mouthpiece body 14 may form the mouthpiece end of the article. In some examples where the hollow tubular element 15 is omitted, the length of the mouthpiece body 14 may be increased, or an additional material body may be provided at the mouthpiece end.

[0106] In this example, the cooling section 13 defines a void within the inlet. The void forms a chamber through which heated volatile components generated by the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material flow. The cooling section 13 is hollow to form a chamber for aerosol accumulation, but is rigid enough to withstand axial compressive forces and bending moments that may occur during manufacturing and while the article 1 is in use. The cooling section 13 facilitates the physical displacement between the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material and the downstream portion of the inlet 3.

[0107] Preferably, the internal volume of the cooling section 13 is 130 mm 3 Larger than this. It has been found that providing a cavity of at least this volume enables improved aerosol formation. Such a cavity size provides sufficient space within the mouthpiece 2 to allow heated volatile components to cool, and thus allows the aerosol-generating material 2 to be exposed to a higher temperature than otherwise possible, which could result in an excessively warm aerosol. More preferably, the mouthpiece 3 is 170 mm 3 Larger than that, even more preferably 200 mm 3It has a cavity with a larger internal volume, enabling further improvement of the aerosol. In some examples, the internal cavity is about 130 mm 3 to about 700 mm 3 , preferably about 160 mm 3 to about 700 mm 3 in volume. For example, the internal cavity may have a volume of about 170 mm 3 to about 300 mm 3 .

[0108] The cavity can be configured to achieve a temperature difference of at least 40 degrees Celsius between the heated volatile components entering the first upstream end of the cavity and the heated volatile components exiting the second downstream end of the cavity. The cavity is preferably configured to achieve a temperature difference of at least 60 degrees Celsius, preferably at least 80 degrees Celsius, more preferably at least 100 degrees Celsius, between the heated volatile components entering the first upstream end of the cavity and the heated volatile components exiting the second downstream end of the cavity. This temperature difference across the length of the cavity can protect temperature-sensitive elements from the high temperature of the aerosol-forming material 2 when heated to the temperature at the suction port downstream of the cavity.

[0109] Preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 50 mm. More preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 40 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is less than about 35 mm. Additionally, or alternatively, the length of the cooling section 13 is preferably at least about 10 mm. Preferably, the length of the cooling section 13 is at least about 15 mm.

[0110] In some preferred embodiments, the length of the cooling section 13 is about 15 mm to about 35 mm, more preferably about 20 mm to about 30 mm, even more preferably about 23 to about 27 mm, and most preferably about 25 mm. In this example, the length of the cooling section 13 is 25 mm.

[0111] In this example, the cooling section 13 is formed from multiple layers of paper wound parallel to each other with their joints butted together to form a hollow tube. In this example, the first and second layers of paper are provided in a two-ply tube, but in other examples, three, four or more layers of paper can be used to form a three, four or more-ply tube. Other structures can be used, such as spirally wound layers of paper, cardboard tubes, tubes formed using a papier-mâché process, or molded or extruded plastic tubes.

[0112] In some embodiments, the cooling section 13 preferably has a wall thickness of at least about 50 μm to a maximum of about 1 mm, preferably 100 μm to 500 μm, and more preferably 100 μm to 150 μm. In this example, the cooling section 13 has a wall thickness of about 150 μm. The “wall thickness” of the cooling section corresponds to the thickness of the wall of the hollow tube in the radial direction, excluding any surrounding material that can embed the hollow tube. The wall thickness of the cooling section 13 may be measured, for example, using a caliper.

[0113] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the cooling section 13 is at least 50 microns, preferably at least 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, or 105 microns. In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the cooling section is at least 100 or 110 microns.

[0114] In some embodiments, the wall thickness of the cooling section 13 is less than 1000 microns, preferably less than 500 microns.

[0115] The cooling section 13, the suction port body 14, and the hollow tubular element 15 are connected by a binding packaging material 11.

[0116] In this example, article 1 is provided with first and second parallel rows of perforations 12 passing through the tip material 9, binding packaging material 11, and cooling section 13, allowing ventilation into the suction port 3 in the cooling section 13. In this case, the perforations 12 are formed as laser perforations at positions approximately 18 mm and 19 mm, respectively, from the downstream suction port end 3b of the suction port 3. In other examples, ventilation into the suction port 3 can be provided at other positions.

[0117] In this embodiment, the mouthpiece body 14 is a filter. However, it should be noted that in other examples, the mouthpiece body 14 may be provided without substantially filtering the inhalation of article 1.

[0118] The mouthpiece body 14 is formed from a fibrous material. In this example, the mouthpiece body 14 is formed from a sheet material. In this example, the sheet material is paper. The sheet material may be folded to form the mouthpiece body 14. The mouthpiece body 14 may be formed from a continuous web of sheet material. In this example, the sheet material is assembled to form the body 14 in a manner similar to that of a "crepe filter".

[0119] The hollow tubular element 15 is positioned at the suction end of article 1. In this example, the hollow tubular element 15 is formed from multiple layers of paper wound parallel to each other with their seams butted together to form a hollow tube, as described with respect to the cooling section 13. The hollow tubular element 15 may be formed according to any of the means described with respect to the cooling section 13 and may have any wall thickness described with respect to the cooling section 13.

[0120] Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 20 mm. More preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 15 mm. Even more preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is less than about 10 mm. In addition, or alternatively, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is at least about 5 mm. Preferably, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is at least about 6 mm. In some preferred embodiments, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is about 5 mm to about 20 mm, more preferably about 6 mm to about 10 mm, even more preferably about 6 mm to about 8 mm, most preferably about 6 mm, 7 mm, or about 8 mm. In this example, the length of the hollow tubular element 15 is 6 mm.

[0121] In this example, the tip paper 9 is wrapped around a portion of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material along the entire length of the mouthpiece 3 and has adhesive on its inner surface to connect the mouthpiece 3 and the rod 2. In this example, the tip paper 9 extends 5 mm over the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material, but alternatively, it can extend 3 mm to 15 mm or 4 mm to 6 mm over the rod 2 to ensure a secure attachment between the mouthpiece 3 and the rod 2.

[0122] In this example, the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material is wrapped in rod packaging material 10. The rod packaging material 10 may be, for example, paper or paper-backed foil packaging material. As described above, the connecting packaging material 7 surrounds substantially the entire length of the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material such that the rod of the aerosol-generating material is surrounded by two packaging materials substantially along its entire length. Such a double-wrapped rod of the aerosol-generating material may have improved stiffness and / or rigidity. Preferably, this may make it possible to realize a rod of aerosol-generating material with a lower density while maintaining the desired level of stiffness.

[0123] In some examples, the rod packaging material 10 may contain flavorings, aerosol modifying additives also referred to herein as aerosol modifiers, aerosol forming agents, or aerosol generating materials.

[0124] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a further article 1' for use in an aerosol supply system. Article 1' is substantially the same as article 1, except for the configuration of the packaging material surrounding the component 4 and the rod 2 of aerosol-generating material. In article 1', the connecting packaging material 7 is replaced by a connecting packaging material 7' that surrounds the component 4 and a portion of the rod 2 of aerosol-generating material. The connecting packaging material 7' extends over only a portion of the rod 2 of aerosol-generating material. For example, the connecting packaging material 7' may extend over the rod of aerosol-generating material by about 3 mm to about 10 mm, for example, about 5 mm.

[0125] The connecting packaging material 7' may be the same as the connecting packaging material 7, except for its length. The connecting packaging material 7' has a length such that it does not extend over the entire length of the rod 2 of the aerosol generating material.

[0126] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an additional article 1” for use in a non-combustible aerosol supply system. Article 1” is substantially the same as article 1, except for the arrangement of packaging material connecting the components of the article. In this case, the mouthpiece 3, which comprises a cooling section 13 connected by packaging material 11, a mouthpiece body 14, and a hollow tubular element 15, is joined to the rod 2 and packaging component 4 of the aerosol-generating material by additional packaging material 17 extending substantially along the entire length of article 1”. In this example, the additional packaging material 17 includes paper. The additional packaging material 17 may include chip paper.

[0127] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a further article 1''' including an additional second component 41 upstream of the aerosol generating section 2, and thus component 4' is the first component 4'. Article 1''' is substantially the same as article 1, except that in this example the length of the first component 4' is shortened and the additional component 41 is provided downstream of the first component 4'. In this example, each of components 4', 41 has a length of 3 mm such that the combined length of components 4', 41 is the same as that of component 4 in Figure 1. In other examples, components 4', 41 may have any suitable length as described above with respect to component 4.

[0128] In this example, each of the components 4' and 41 is formed from multiple material parts, in this case, the parts are strips of sheet material. In this example, the strip of sheet material forming the first body 5' of the first component 4' is made of a different material from the strip of sheet material forming the second body 51 of the additional component 41. In other examples, the first and second bodies 5' and 51 may be formed from one or more sheets or strips of the same material, but may differ in other respects, for example, by providing an aerosol modifying additive to one or the other body, or by different amounts of material in which the first or second bodies 5' and 51 are formed.

[0129] In this example, the first component 4' comprises a first body 5' including multiple strips of sheet material, as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The strips or sheets forming the first and second material bodies 5', 51 can have a total width of 100 mm to 240 mm, for example, 140 mm to 200 mm, before crimping. Such a width can achieve a good balance between the pressure drop across the length of the material body 5 and the hardness of the material body 5.

[0130] In this example, the additional component 41 includes a second material body 51. The second material body 51 may be formed from any material in any suitable manner as described with respect to the material body 5. In this example, the second material body 51 includes a plurality of strips 81 (not shown) of material, and the plurality of strips 81 are assembled to form the body 51. The strips 81 are formed from a second sheet material. In this example, the strips 81 include an aerosol-generating film. Optionally, the aerosol-generating film may be laminated to a support material, such as paper.

[0131] In this example, the multiple strips 8' forming the main body 5' include metal foil, preferably aluminum foil.

[0132] In this example, the main body 5' contains less than 5% by weight of the aerosol-forming agent.

[0133] In this example, the material body 51 of the downstream-upstream component 41 may preferably contain an aerosol-forming agent or an aerosol-modifying additive. Providing an aerosol-forming agent or aerosol-modifying additive within the body 41 may result in improved aerosol generation.

[0134] By providing adjacent components 4' and 41 at the upstream end of article 1''', the rod 2 of the aerosol-generating material can preferably be displaced from the distal end of the heating configuration into which article 1''' is inserted during use toward a region where the aerosol-generating material can be more effectively heated. Such an effect may be further enhanced by providing a component 4' configured to act as a heat exchanger at the upstream end of article 1''', which may suitably improve heat transfer to the air flowing into article 1'''. This may be achieved, for example, by providing a component 4' including a body 5' formed from a strip containing metal foil, such as aluminum foil.

[0135] In an example where the upstream component 4' includes a strip of metal foil and the downstream component 41 includes an aerosol-forming agent or aerosol-modifying additive, the aerosol generated by the article in use may be particularly improved. The combined effect of the upstream component 4' improving the heating of the air passing through the article 1'' and the downstream component 41 providing an additional aerosol-forming agent or aerosol-modifying additive may preferably improve the consumer experience of the article 1'' during use.

[0136] Components 4' and 41 are respectively surrounded by component packaging materials 6' and 61, as described above with respect to Figure 1, and are assembled by connecting the packaging materials 7. In an alternative example, components 4' and 41 may be assembled by further packaging materials before being assembled with the rod of aerosol-generating material by the packaging material 7.

[0137] In some examples, Article 1 according to the present disclosure may be formed by the method shown in Figure 6. The method includes the steps of preparing a material body, an aerosol generating portion, and packaging material (S101), combining the material body and aerosol generating portion with the packaging material to form a component (S102), further preparing a mouthpiece and further packaging material (S103), and combining the mouthpiece and the component to form an article (S104).

[0138] In an alternative example, Article 1" according to the present disclosure may be formed by the method shown in Figure 7, which includes the steps of: preparing a cooling section, a mouthpiece body, a hollow tubular element, and packaging material (S201); combining the cooling section, the mouthpiece body, and the hollow tubular element with the packaging material to form a mouthpiece (S202); further preparing an aerosol generating section, a material body, and further packaging material (S203); and combining the mouthpiece, the aerosol generating section, and the material body with further packaging material to form an article (S204).

[0139] The flammability of packaging materials for use in articles may be determined in accordance with ISO 5729:2021.

[0140] For example, items in the shape of a rod are often named according to their length: "Regular" (typically in the range of 68-75mm, e.g., about 68mm-72mm), "Short" or "Mini" (68mm or less), "King Size" (typically in the range of 75-91mm, e.g., about 79mm-88mm), "Long" or "Super King" (typically in the range of 91-105mm, e.g., about 94mm-101mm), and "Ultra Long" (typically in the range of about 110mm-121mm).

[0141] The products are also named according to their circumference as follows: "Regular" (approximately 23-25mm), "Wide" (greater than 25mm), "Slim" (approximately 22-23mm), "Demi-Slim" (approximately 19-22mm), "Super Slim" (approximately 16-19mm), and "Micro Slim" (less than approximately 16mm).

[0142] Therefore, a king-size super-slim article, for example, has a length of approximately 83 mm and a circumference of approximately 17 mm.

[0143] Each form may be manufactured using mouthpieces of different lengths. The mouthpiece length is approximately 10mm to 50mm, for example, 15mm to 35mm. The tip paper connects the mouthpiece to the aerosol-generating material, such that the tip paper covers the mouthpiece and overlaps the aerosol-generating material in the form of a rod of the aerosol-generating material, connecting the mouthpiece to the rod. The tip paper is usually longer than the mouthpiece, for example, 3 to 15mm longer, or 3 to 12mm longer.

[0144] The articles described herein, as well as the aerosol-generating materials and components thereof, may be manufactured in any of the forms described above, but are not limited thereto.

[0145] As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are relative terms defined with respect to the direction of the mainstream aerosol being drawn through the article or device in use.

[0146] The various embodiments described herein are presented solely to aid in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided only as representative examples of embodiments and are not exhaustive and / or exclusive. The advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and / or other aspects described herein should not be considered limitations to the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or to equivalents of the claims, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and modified without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably include, consist of, or essentially consist of, appropriate combinations of disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions that are not currently claimed but may be claimed in the future.

[0147] As used herein, the term “delivery system” is intended to encompass a system for delivering at least one substance to a user. Combustion aerosol supply systems for pipes, roll-up or roll-up cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, and tobacco (in any case, based on tobacco, tobacco derivatives, expanded tobacco, recombined tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other smokeable materials), A non-combustion aerosol supply system that releases compounds from an aerosol-generating material without burning the aerosol-generating material, such as a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of an e-cigarette, a tobacco heating product, and an aerosol-generating material; and an aerosol-free delivery system that delivers at least one substance to a user orally, nasally, transdermally, or otherwise without forming an aerosol, and includes, but is not limited to, an oral product such as an article containing lozenges, gum, patches, inhalable powders, and oral tobacco containing snuff or moist snuff, wherein at least one substance may or may not contain nicotine.

[0148] According to this disclosure, a “non-combustible” aerosol supply system is a system in which the aerosol-generating materials (or their components) that make up the aerosol supply system are not burned or incinerated in order to facilitate the delivery of at least one substance to the user.

[0149] In some embodiments, the delivery system is a non-combustible aerosol supply system, such as a powered non-combustible aerosol supply system.

[0150] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol delivery system is an electronic cigarette, also known as a vaping device or electronic nicotine delivery system (END), but it should be noted that the presence of nicotine in the aerosol-generating material is not a requirement.

[0151] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system is an aerosol-generating material heating system, also known as a non-combustion heating system. An example of such a system is a cigarette heating system.

[0152] In some embodiments, the non-combustible aerosol supply system is a hybrid system that generates an aerosol using a combination of aerosol-generating materials, one or more of which may be heated. Each of the aerosol-generating materials may be, for example, in the form of a solid, liquid, or gel, and may or may not contain nicotine. In some embodiments, the hybrid system includes a liquid or gel aerosol-generating material and a solid aerosol-generating material. The solid aerosol-generating material may include, for example, tobacco or a non-tobacco product.

[0153] Typically, a non-combustible aerosol supply system may comprise a non-combustible aerosol supply device, also called a heating device, and consumables or articles for use with the non-combustible aerosol supply device.

[0154] In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to consumables comprising an aerosol-generating material and configured for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device. These consumables may be referred to as articles throughout the disclosure.

[0155] In some embodiments, a non-combustible aerosol supply system, for example, the non-combustible aerosol supply device, may include a power source and a controller. The power source may be, for example, an electric power source or a heat-generating power source. In some embodiments, the heat-generating power source includes a carbon substrate to which energy can be supplied to distribute power in the form of heat to an aerosol-generating material or heat-transferring material adjacent to the heat-generating power source.

[0156] In some embodiments, the non-combustion aerosol supply system may include an area for receiving consumables, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generation area, a housing, a suction port, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0157] In some embodiments, consumables for use with a non-combustible aerosol supply device may include aerosol generating material, an aerosol generating material storage area, an aerosol generating material transfer component, an aerosol generator, an aerosol generating area, a housing, packaging material, a filter, a suction nozzle, and / or an aerosol modifier.

[0158] In some embodiments, the delivered substance includes an active substance (sometimes referred to herein as an active material).

[0159] The active substances or materials used herein may be physiologically active materials, which are materials intended to achieve or enhance a physiological response. Active substances may be selected from, for example, dietary supplements, nootropics, and psychotropic drugs. Active substances may be naturally occurring or obtained by synthesis. Active substances may include, for example, nicotine, caffeine, taurine, theine, vitamins such as B6 or B12 or C, melatonin, cannabinoids, or their components, derivatives, or combinations. Active substances may also include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of tobacco, cannabis, or other plant substances.

[0160] In some embodiments, the active substance includes nicotine. In some embodiments, the active substance includes caffeine, melatonin, or vitamin B12.

[0161] As described herein, the active substance may include one or more components, derivatives, or extracts of cannabis, such as one or more cannabinoids or terpenes.

[0162] As described herein, the active substance may include or be derived from one or more plant substances, or their components, derivatives, or extracts. As used herein, the term “plant substance” includes, but is not limited to, any material derived from a plant, including extracts, leaves, bark, fibers, stems, roots, seeds, flowers, fruits, pollen, exoskeletons, shells, etc. Alternatively, the material may include naturally occurring active compounds in plant substances or synthetically obtained active compounds. The material may be in the form of a liquid, gas, solid, powder, dust, crushed particles, granules, pellets, flakes, strips, sheets, etc. Examples of plant-based substances include tobacco, eucalyptus, star anise, hemp, cocoa, cannabis, fennel, lemongrass, peppermint, spearmint, rooibos, chamomile, flax, ginger, ginkgo, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay leaf, licorice, matcha, mate, orange peel, papaya, rose, sage, tea (such as green or black tea), thyme, cloves, cinnamon, coffee, aniseed, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, and lavender. Dar, lemon peel, mint, juniper, elderflower, vanilla, wintergreen, shiso, curcuma, turmeric, sandalwood, cilantro, bergamot, orange blossom, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damiana, marjoram, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, calvi, verbena, tarragon, geranium, mulberry, ginseng, theanine, theacrine, maca, ashwagandha, damiana, guarana, chlorophyll, baobab, or any combination thereof.The mint may be selected from the following mint varieties: Mentha arventis, Mentha cv, Mentha niliaca, Mentha piperita, Mentha piperita citrata cv, Mentha piperita cv, Mentha spicata crispa, Mentha cardifolia, Mentha longifolia, Mentha suaveolens variegata, Mentha pulegium, Mentha spicata cv, and Mentha suaveolens.

[0163] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plant substances or their components, derivatives, or extracts, the plant substance being tobacco.

[0164] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plant substances or their components, derivatives, or extracts, the plant substances being selected from eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, and hemp.

[0165] In some embodiments, the active substance comprises or is derived from one or more plant substances or their components, derivatives, or extracts, the plant substances being selected from rooibos and fennel.

[0166] In some embodiments, the substance delivered includes a flavoring agent.

[0167] As used herein, the terms “flavoring agents” and “flavorings” refer to materials that may be used to create a desired taste, aroma, or other somatosensory effect in products intended for adult consumers, where permitted by local regulations.These are naturally occurring flavoring materials, plant substances, extracts of plant substances, synthetically obtained materials, or combinations thereof (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, licorice, hydrangea, eugenol, magnolia leaves, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, maple, matcha, menthol, Japanese mint, aniseed, cinnamon, turmeric, Indian spices, Asian spices, herbs, wintergreen, cherry, berry, red berry, cranberry, peach, apple, orange, mango, clementine, lemon, lime, Tropical fruits, papaya, rhubarb, grapes, durian, dragon fruit, cucumber, blueberry, mulberry, citrus fruits, Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, gin, tequila, rum, spearmint, peppermint, lavender, aloe vera, cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, kurt, eggplant, betel nut, shisha, pine, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, orange blossom, cherry blossom, cassia, caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang Sage, fennel, wasabi, bell pepper, ginger, coriander, coffee, hemp, peppermint oil from any of the Mentha species, eucalyptus, star anise, cocoa, lemongrass, rooibos, flax, ginkgo biloba, hazelnut, hibiscus, bay leaf, mate, orange peel, rose, tea such as green or black tea, thyme, juniper, elderflower, basil, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, paprika, rosemary, saffron, lemon peel, mint, shiso, curcuma, cilantro, myrtle, blackcurrant, valerian, pimento, mace, damien, maji It may also contain other additives such as chollum, olive, lemon balm, lemon basil, chives, calvi, verbena, tarragon, limonene, thymol, camphene), flavor enhancers, bitter taste receptor site blockers, sensory receptor site activators or stimulants, sugars and / or sugar substitutes (e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharin, cyclamate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol), as well as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, plant-derived substances, or breath fresheners.They may be imitations, synthetics, or natural raw materials, or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, such as a liquid like an oil, a solid like a powder, or a gas.

[0168] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes menthol, spearmint, and / or peppermint. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes flavoring components of cucumber, blueberry, citrus, and / or red berry. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes eugenol. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes flavoring components extracted from tobacco. In some embodiments, the flavoring agent includes flavoring components extracted from cannabis.

[0169] In some embodiments, the flavoring agent may include a sensory stimulant, which is usually chemically induced and intended to achieve somatosensory perception perceived by stimulation of the fifth cranial nerve (trigeminal nerve) in addition to or instead of the aroma or taste nerves, and may include agents that produce heating, cooling, tingling, or numbing effects. A suitable thermal agent may be, but is not limited to, vanillyl ethyl ether, and a suitable cooling agent may be, but is not limited to, eucalyptol (WS-3).

[0170] Aerosol-generating materials are materials that can generate aerosols when energy is supplied, for example, by heating, irradiation, or any other method. Aerosol-generating materials may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or semi-solid (such as a gel), which may or may not contain active substances and / or flavorings.

[0171] The aerosol-generating material may include one or more active substances and / or flavoring agents, one or more aerosol-forming materials, and optionally one or more other functional materials.

[0172] The aerosol-generating material may include a binder such as a gelling agent and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a delivered substance and / or fillers may also be present. Optionally, a solvent such as water may also be present, and one or more other components of the aerosol-generating material may or may not be soluble in the solvent. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of plant-based materials. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially free of tobacco.

[0173] The aerosol-generating material may include an aerosol-generating film, or may be in the form of an aerosol-generating film. The aerosol-generating film may include a binder such as a gelling agent and an aerosol-forming agent. Optionally, a delivered substance and / or fillers may also be present. The aerosol-generating film may not contain substantially any plant material. In particular, in some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material is substantially tobacco-free.

[0174] The aerosol-generating film may have a thickness of approximately 0.015 mm to approximately 1 mm. For example, the thickness may be in the range of approximately 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.15 mm to approximately 0.5 mm or 0.3 mm.

[0175] The aerosol-generating material may include two or more films, and the thickness described herein may refer to the total thickness of those films.

[0176] The aerosol-generating film may be continuous. For example, the film may include continuous material sheets or may be continuous material sheets. The sheets may be in the form of packaging material, may be assembled to form assembled sheets, or may be shredded to form shredded sheets. The shredded sheets may include one or more strands or strips of aerosol-generating material.

[0177] The aerosol-generating film may be discontinuous. For example, the aerosol-generating film may include one or more individual parts or regions of aerosol-generating material, such as dots, stripes, or lines, which can be supported on a support. In such embodiments, the support may be planar or non-planar.

[0178] The aerosol-generating film may be formed by combining a binder such as a gelling agent with one or more other components such as a solvent such as water, an aerosol-forming agent, and one or more substances to be delivered to form a slurry, and then heating the slurry to volatilize at least a portion of the solvent to form the aerosol-generating film.

[0179] The slurry may be heated to remove at least about 60% by weight, 70% by weight, 80% by weight, 85% by weight, or 90% by weight of the solvent.

[0180] The aerosol-generating material may include an amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the aerosol-generating material includes an aerosol-generating film which is an amorphous solid. The amorphous solid may be a monolithic solid. The amorphous solid may be substantially non-fibrous. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may be a dry gel. The amorphous solid is a solid material which may hold some fluid, such as a liquid, within the amorphous solid. In some embodiments, the amorphous solid may include, for example, about 50% by weight, 60% by weight, or 70% by weight of amorphous solid, or about 90% by weight, 95% by weight, or 100% by weight of amorphous solid.

[0181] The amorphous solid does not need to contain substantially any plant-based material. The amorphous solid does not need to contain substantially any tobacco.

[0182] The aerosol-forming material may contain one or more components capable of forming an aerosol. In some embodiments, the aerosol-forming material may contain one or more of the following: glycerol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, erythritol, mesoerythritol, ethyl vanillate, ethyl laurate, diethyl suberate, triethyl citrate, triacetin, a mixture of diacetins, benzyl benzoate, benzyl phenylacetate, tributyline, lauryl acetate, lauric acid, myristic acid, and propylene carbonate.

[0183] One or more other functional materials may include one or more of the following: pH adjusters, colorants, preservatives, binders, fillers, stabilizers, and / or antioxidants.

[0184] The material may be present on or within a support to form a substrate. The support may be, for example, paper, cardboard, cardboard, reconstituted material, plastic material, ceramic material, composite material, glass, metal, or metal alloy, or may comprise these. In some embodiments, the support includes a susceptor. In some embodiments, the susceptor is embedded within the material. In some alternative embodiments, the susceptor is on one or both sides of the material.

[0185] Consumables are articles containing or consisting of aerosol-generating material, some or all of which are intended to be consumed during use by the user. Consumables may also comprise one or more other components, such as an aerosol-generating material storage area, an aerosol-generating material transfer component, an aerosol-generating area, a housing, packaging material, a mouthpiece, a filter, and / or an aerosol modifier. Consumables may also comprise an aerosol generator, such as a heater, which generates heat during use to cause the aerosol-generating material to produce an aerosol. The heater may comprise, for example, a flammable material, an electrically conductive material, or a susceptor.

[0186] Aerosol modifiers (also referred to herein as aerosol modifier additives) are typically substances located downstream of an aerosol-generating area, configured to modify the generated aerosol, for example, by altering the taste, flavor, acidity, or other properties of the aerosol. The aerosol modifier may be contained within an aerosol modifier release component that is operable to selectively release the aerosol modifier.

[0187] The aerosol modifier may be, for example, an additive or an adsorbent. The aerosol modifier may contain, for example, one or more of the following: flavorings, colorings, water, and carbon adsorbents. The aerosol modifier may be, for example, a solid, a liquid, or a gel. The aerosol modifier may be in the form of a powder, thread, or granules. The aerosol modifier does not need to contain a filter material.

Claims

1. An article for use in an aerosol supply system, comprising an aerosol generating portion containing an aerosol generating material comprising an amount of aerosol forming agent in an amount of 8% to 25% by weight, and a material body located upstream of the aerosol generating portion, wherein the material body comprises a plurality of material parts.

2. The article according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of material parts includes a sheet material.

3. The article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of material portions include strips of sheet material.

4. The article according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sheet material comprises a thermally conductive material, optionally comprising a metal foil, and optionally the metal being aluminum.

5. The article according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the sheet material has a porosity of less than 100 CU.

6. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sheet material comprises an aerosol-generating film, and the aerosol-generating film is optionally laminated on a support material.

7. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sheet material includes paper.

8. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheet material is crimped.

9. The article according to claim 8, wherein the crimp pattern is defined by a crimp amplitude of 50 μm to 400 μm and / or a spacing of 0.1 mm to 3 mm between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern.

10. The article according to claim 9, wherein the crimp amplitude is 100 μm to 300 μm, and the spacing between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

11. The aforementioned multiple material parts Capsules and Multiple microcapsules, Threads containing aerosol modifying additives, An article according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising at least one of the following.

12. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the material body comprises an additive selected from a flavoring agent carrier, an aerosol forming agent, a salt gel, or an acid, wherein the aerosol forming agent is optionally glycerol, and the acid is optionally selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, levulinic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or 2-methylvaleric acid, or the acid is lactic acid.

13. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the plurality of material portions include at least a first material and a second material.

14. The article according to claim 13, wherein the first material and the second material are provided in separate material portions.

15. The article according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the first material and the second material each include a sheet material.

16. The article according to claim 15, wherein the first material and the second material each include a strip of sheet material.

17. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the suction resistance through the length of the material body is 4 mmH2O to 30 mmH2O.

18. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the suction resistance through the length of the material body is at least 1.1 mmH2O per 1 mm of length of the material body, or at least 1.2 mmH2O per 1 mm of length of the material body, or at least 1.5 mmH2O per 1 mm of length of the material body, or at least 2 mmH2O per 1 mm of length of the material body.

19. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the suction resistance through the length of the material body is 5% to 25% or 10% to 20% of the suction resistance through the length of the article.

20. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the material body contains an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of less than 5% by weight on a dry weight basis, or an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of 5% to 50% by weight on a dry weight basis.

21. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein ventilation is provided within the article, and the level of ventilation is 40% to 75%.

22. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the aerosol generating portion comprises tobacco material and / or non-tobacco plant material and active material.

23. The article according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the material body comprises a first material body, and the article further comprises a second material body adjacent to the first material body.

24. The article according to claim 23, wherein the second material body is positioned downstream of the first material body and upstream of the aerosol generating portion.

25. The article according to claim 23, wherein the second material body is positioned at the upstream end of the article.

26. The article according to claims 23 to 25, wherein the second material body includes a sheet material, optionally the sheet material being assembled to form the second material body, and / or the sheet material being in the form of a strip of sheet material.

27. The article according to claim 26, wherein the sheet material comprises a thermally conductive material, optionally comprising a metal foil, and optionally the metal being aluminum.

28. The article according to claim 26, wherein the sheet material comprises an aerosol-generating film, and the aerosol-generating film is optionally laminated on a support material.

29. The article according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the sheet material includes paper.

30. The article according to claim 26, wherein the sheet material includes paper-like reconstructed tobacco.

31. The article according to any one of claims 26 to 30 to 22, wherein the sheet material is crimped.

32. The article according to claim 31, wherein the crimp pattern is defined by a crimp amplitude of 50 μm to 400 μm and / or an interval of 0.1 mm to 3 mm between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern.

33. The article according to claim 32, wherein the crimp amplitude is 100 μm to 300 μm, and the spacing between adjacent peaks in the crimp pattern is 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

34. The article according to any one of claims 26, 28 to 33, wherein the second material body comprises an additive selected from a flavoring agent carrier, an aerosol forming agent, a salt gel, or an acid, wherein the aerosol forming agent is optionally glycerol, and the acid is optionally selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, levulinic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, 2-methylbutyric acid, or 2-methylvaleric acid, or the acid is lactic acid.

35. The article according to any one of claims 26 to 34, wherein the second material body comprises an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of less than 5% by weight on a dry weight basis, or an aerosol-forming agent in an amount of 5% to 50% by weight on a dry weight basis.

36. The article described in any one of claims 1 to 35, A heating device configured to receive the aerosol generating portion, and configured to heat the aerosol generating portion from the outside and / or inductively heat and / or resistively heat the aerosol generating portion, A system equipped with these features.

37. A method for forming an article according to any one of claims 1 to 35, The process involves preparing the main material, the aerosol generation section, and the packaging material. The steps include: combining the material body and the aerosol generating portion with the packaging material to form a component; The steps include further preparing the mouthpiece and additional packaging materials, The steps include: forming an article by combining the mouthpiece and the components such that the main body is located upstream of the aerosol generating portion; Methods that include...

38. A method for forming an article according to any one of claims 1 to 35, The steps include preparing the cooling section, the mouthpiece body, the hollow tubular element, and the packaging material, The steps include: combining the cooling section, the mouthpiece body, and the hollow tubular element with the packaging material to form a mouthpiece; The steps include further preparing the aerosol generating section, the main material body, and additional packaging materials, The steps of forming an article by combining the mouthpiece, the aerosol generating portion, and the material body with the further packaging material, Methods that include...

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